Prosecutors drop sexual assault charges out of concern for elderly victim

MCLEAN COUNTY (25News Now) - Sexual assault charges filed seven years ago in McLean County are being dropped to spare the elderly victim from the trauma of testifying at trial.

McLean County prosecutors dismissed charges against Jeffrey Martin, 58, of Normal, who was sentenced Feb. 6 to 28 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of downloading child pornography on a computer. Martin was awaiting trial in the sexual assault case.

In a statement to 25News, McLean County State’s Attorney Erika Reynolds said “due to communication with the victim regarding what is best for the victim and the victim’s health, the state has elected to dismiss charges.”

Martin has been jailed for several years in the sexual assault and child pornography cases due in part to lengthy trial delays while hiring and firing various attorneys. He eventually defended himself in the child porn trial last November.